Can We Stop These Guys: Louisville Edition

by:Andrew Cassady09/10/13

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Is there a worse sight than scrolling down the AP top 25 list and seeing the University of Louisville occupying the number 7 spot? Surely there must be something out there but it sure is hard to think of many. Yes, it seems we live in a Bizzaro world as the Cards are on a path to going undefeated and the only roadblock in their way is a Kentucky team in rebuilding mode. Louisville continues to ride high from whatever pact they made to find recent athletic success but it's time to bring them back down to Earth. The Saturday the Cats have nothing to lose and everything to gain and if we are going to completely burst little brothers bubble then it's going to start with a stop. Welcome to "Can We Stop These Guys?" the Louisville Cardinals edition: Teddy Bridgewater Teddy Bridgewater is awesome. You have to give some credit where credit is due because the guy is more than likely going to win the Heisman and be named the starting QB of the Jacksonville Jaguars next season. If you want to pinpoint Louisville's recent successes it all starts on the shoulders of number 5. In two games against the Cats Teddy has gone 29/39 (including 19/21 last year) for 338 yards. A bad omen considering so far this season he is completing 76% of his passes and has thrown for 7 touchdowns to just 1 interception. Granted those stats are coming from games against Barbeque U but it is still an impressive start. As Coach Eliot said today the Cats will have to get some pressure on Bridgewater this Saturday. Otherwise he is just going to sit back and pick apart a secondary that has struggled so far with coverage. Hopefully that coverage will be boosted by the return of Cody Quinn. Plus if Za'Darius can add more to his nation leading sack tally the Cats will be off to a fine start. Containing the Cards all starts with shutting down Teddy. Micheal Dyer In 2010 Micheal Dyer, then a member of the Auburn Tigers, was held to 56 yards as the Cats nearly pulled the upset of the eventual National Champions.  The Cats will need to hold the championship MVP to a similar statline this Saturday if they are going to have a chance to win. In two games for the Cards Dyer has shown that he still has that magic that helped lead hapless Gene Chizik to the promised land. Dyer is leading the Cards with an average 6.4 yards per carry and has already scored one 46 yard TD. Paired up with Senorise Perry the Cards have a potent running attack which could give the Cats defense fits a la Antonio Andrews. The Card's bread and butter is made through the air but to overlook their strong run game would be foolish. Keep the yards per carry to a minimum and just maybe the Cats will get enough stops to keep things close. DeVante Parker Ryan Timmons take note, an in state kid can be one of the best receivers in the nation. Parker was a two-sport standout while attending Ballard and has now become Teddy's favorite threat downfield. Parker already has already racked up 3 touchdowns by going for 203 yards on just 9 catches. That's good for 30th place WR in both average yards and total yards, not a bad feat. He looks well on pace to surpass the 10 TDs he racked up last year as a sophomore. Nate Willis and our crew will have their hand full with the Dirty Birds corps of talented receivers. However if they find  a way to come up with a pick or forced turnover then that could result in the difference. Lace up those shoes folks, it's shaping up to be a track meet in Lexington.   Who are you hoping the Cats will be able to contain this Saturday afternoon?

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